New Day Disappears?

Santa’s gift: Three beauties and no beast. It was a strange morning after Christmas on CNN: New Day disappeared and Alisyn Camerota, Chris Cuomo, and Michaela Pereira were nowhere to be seen live. Instead, (CNN) Newsroom replaced New Day with Energizer bunny Christine Romans, pretty Poppy Harlow, and hottie Pamela Brown on the ND set.

Actually, it was a nice holiday gift from Old Saint Nick. Aly, Chris, and Michaela got a much deserved break: And, the viewers got three femme fatales for the day. Christine played the Iowa tomboy that dutifully doles out financial and other practical advice; Poppy played the attractive Everylady that reads the news for her airport audience savant and dullard alike; and Pamela (1971 Miss America Phyllis George’s daughter) played the sexy “younger blonde” that CNN honcho Jeff Zucker may need to “compete with Fox News.”

But, the bizarre thing to the author was that even though Christine, Poppy, and Pamela were on the New Day set in the ND time slot, CNN decided to ditch the ND name for the day and replace it with Newsroom. Perchance, Zucker wanted to be certain that his CNN viewers knew that his choice for now, at least, for his ND team was crystal clear: I.e., Aly, Chris, and Michael were his A-Team. After all, the three appeared on both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day to seemingly cement in viewers minds the new lineup on News Day.

ND’s Aly: “Two Weeks!”

Camerota’s “New Day” turns to night too soon? For the last three weeks, new CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota has ruled the roost on the New Day divan in the absence of Kate Bolduan who is away on maternity leave. She has shown her co-host Chris Cuomo what a real equal–or superior–looks like: In other words, the Italian stallion has more than met his match with his comely, perspicacious counterpart.

Monday, Kate returned to ND for her “Roots: Journey’s Home” story (which is a smart, delightful way that CNN has chosen to personalize some of its anchors to its viewers). In tow, Kate took her beautiful newborn Cecilia Eve to  the CNN couch: Of course, “uncle” Chris cooed and cooed over his co-host and neighbor’s firstborn beauty, as well he should. As the ND cast share the serpentine sofa, the contrast between the too oft callow Kate and the more seasoned Aly appeared all too palpable.

Perchance, Kate came back Monday to show that she is still a permanent co-host on ND. On Friday, Aly seemed to affirm that: When a Twitter follower asked, “Where did you go, miss your commentary” [sic], Aly answered, “Tune into @NewDay for the next two weeks!”

However, Aly may well have a longer stint on ND than she thinks. If CNN chief Jeff Zucker decides to suspend or even can embattled Carol Costello for her controversial Schadenfreude of late, he may keep the current winning team on ND–and give new mom Kate a later, more convenient slot on CNN Newsroom.

CNN’s arousing espresso? Aly in the a.m.!

Bolduan Gives Birth!

Cecelia Eve debuts! CNN New Day anchor Kate Bolduan and hubby Michael Gershenson welcomed their first child, Cecelia Eve, into their family yesterday morn (September 25) at 10:39 a.m. Less than a week after taking maternity leave, Kate gave birth to a beautiful daughter weighing six pounds and measuring 18.5 inches.

This morning, Kate’s New Day co-host Chris Cuomo proclaimed the good news with pictures of the happy mom and her new bundle of joy in ND‘s “Good Stuff” segment at the end of the show. Declaring little Cecilia the “most beautiful new baby in the world,” Chris remarked, “The ‘Good Stuff’ couldn’t get gooderer…..”

Subsequently, when Chris segued to Carol Costello (CNN Newsroom co-host), she aptly added, “What a beautiful baby: But, I didn’t expect anything less of Kate Bolduan. Let’s face it!”

Congratulations, Kate and Michael!

[Author’s aside: For pics of the new princess, link here.]

Kyra’s “Cannuck Hubby”: Robert’s Ring Ruse?”

Special Reports with JD: Ring on, ring off! Yesterday, FNC Special Report with Bret Baier guest anchor John Roberts decided to doff his seemingly connubial band for, at least, the third time this week.* Only about six months ago, Roberts was proudly donning his seemingly marital ring as he hosted Special Report (soon after his long-time flame HLN anchor Kyra Phillips had claimed to have a Cannuck husband): As a result the author assumed that Roberts had finally tied the knot with Phillips after proposing to her over two years earlier on bended knee.

But, maybe, not. According to HuffPo (in 2011), Roberts revealed that he did not “call Phillips is fiancee and they[had] no plans to get married soon” in “spite of the couple’s ‘engagement.'” In that same interview, Roberts remarked, “There’s no plan for a wedding. I call her my wife, she refers to me as her husband.” Holding out hope for the future, Roberts added, “Do I expect that at some point we’ll get married? Yes, it’s just that we’ve both been so busy working and preparing for our babies that we haven’t found time.”

Perhaps, the two lovers still haven’t found the time–after all. Stay tuned, John and Kyra fans.

*Special Report with Bret Baier – 12/07/12 (@ 6:34 a.m. ET); Happening Now – 12/04/12 (@ 9:37 a.m. ET); and Studio B with Shepard Smith – 12/03/12 (@ 3:41 p.m. ET).

Carol Costello: I’m Just Whining on a “Friend”

CNN Newsroom anchor: “Strange ‘leg crossings’ on Fox’s early, early news.” No wonder FNC’s Fox & Friends First continues to bury its CNN counterpart Early Start in the ratings: Even CNN morning host Carol Costello is tuning in for Fox News’ early morning gamfest.

Today, Mediaite.com author Andrew Kirell reported a very candid Carol Facebook post this morning. To whit, Carol comically declared, “Good morning! Each morning we are amazed at the excellent posture and strange ‘leg crossings’ on Fox’s early, early news. I have tried to get my legs to do that…but, it hurts. What can I say, it’s a slow Monday!”*

Slow or no(t), Carol’s comment  was illuminating. She clearly has her eyes on the early morning juggernaut that is demolishing CNN’s Early Start by more than 2 to 1 in the demo and 3 to 1 in total viewers. And, she herself has tried to emulate the Fox News foxes–without success.

At least, Carol has tried. Perhaps, Early Start co-host Zoraida Sambolin will follow suit. CNN desperately needs a sexy new start to boost its early morning ratings, especially, now that its erstwhile AM “ray of light” Kiran Chetry no longer ushers in the dawn.

[Author’s aside: Title, supra, play on the Rolling Stones’ “Waiting on a Friend.”]

*The Fox & Friends First co-hosts Monday were Patti Ann Browne and Heather Childers.

Ashleigh Out: Zoraida (& John) In

Early Start: a new start–a more mellifluous one? ES co-host Ashleigh Banfield, the early morning cacophonous Cannuck, will soon no longer awaken CNN viewers with her virtual fingernail-on-the-chalkboard reveille: rather, she will greet them long after they have left Morpheus’ embrace.

Today, CNN EVP Ken Jautz announced that Ashleigh will anchor her own CNN hour at 11:00 a.m. ET later this summer. She will replace CNN Newsroom host Kyra Phillips, who is moving to HLN to “lead a new daytime program.” In her stead will be new CNN hire John Berman, a former ABC News reporter and Good Morning America contributor.

Almost in tandem with Jautz, Early Start senior producer Christina Ginn subsequently subtly heralded the news. She Tweeted, “Caught @JohnSBerman and @ZoraidaCNN in the @EarlyStartCNN newsroom today: pic.twitter./7TOlhdiU.” In Christina’s included pic, a beaming Zoraida Sambolin embraces a sheepish John, her new ES partner-to-be.”

Early Start: less Red Bull and more cafe au lait.

Kyra Phillips: I Have a Canuck Husband

John Roberts: “At some point.” Apparently, that point has arrived for CNN Newsroom anchor Kyra Phillips and FNC senior correspondent John Roberts. Even though Kyra recently claimed that she had a Canadian hubby on CNNN, her long-time fiance belied that assertion by eschewing any connubial band. However, Kyra’s “J.D.” decided to don it Monday when he guest-hosted on Special Report with Bret Baier.

Over two years ago, Kyra and John became engaged in grand fashion at Greenbrier Resort on the greens at the 18th hole (bended-knee proposal, champagne, and Tom Watson’s pin-flag congratulations). However, approximately ten months later, with their twins almost due, John seemed to cast doubt on any future nuptials in an interview with HuffPo: He remarked that there was “no plan for a wedding” but that he did expect that he and Kyra to get married “at some point.” Monday, John seemed to signal that “point” has come and Kyra does now indeed have her Canuck hubby as he dutifully wore his wedding band on Special Report.

Congratulations, Kyra and John!

T. J. Holmes: We’re Negotiating My [CNN] Return

It’s American Morning at CNN again? This morning, former CNN anchor T. J. Holmes indicated that he is leaving BET after a very brief “stint” there and going back to his home at the self-proclaimed “most trusted name in news” network. He Tweeted, “On a flight w/my old CNN boss. We’re negotiating my return.” Later, he wrote, “I expect to announce to you all this week some news about my future.”

Less than four months after bidding his CNN Newsroom weekend viewers adieu (to be a BET “multi-platform” jounalist), is T. J. back to save day for CNN–or, at least, the dawn? CNN honcho Ken Jautz must now be ruing his ill-considered decision to ditch his cellar-dweller morning show American Morning. As the ratings of his 2012 AM replacement shows, Early Start and Starting Point, have tanked (lowest in over a decade), Jautz may be thinking that he probably should have given his original plan more time, i.e., to possibly permanently pair T. J. with former AM anchor Kiran Chetry.

Whether it is “Morning in America,” may depend on one’s political point of view. But the return of the erstwhile trial T. J. and Kiran team would certainly help make it a brighter “American Morning” at CNN. And, AM  fans, T. J.’s return would certainly constitute Kiran’s long-awaited “very special opportunity.”

Update: Apparently, BET’s T. J. Holmes was pulling a practical joke on his CNN fans and Twitter followers. Cf. CarpeDiem’s “BET’s T. J. Holmes: Just a Joke?”

T. J. Holmes: I Could Have Stayed On with CNN

“This wasn’t about me looking for a job.” CNN Newsroom weekend anchor T. J. Holmes seemed rather eager to let his fans know that he was not ushered out of the exit door by the CNN suits. In fact, in an interview with The Root, he asserted, “I could have have stayed on with CNN: This wasn’t about me looking for a job. I chose BET for a reason, for the opportunity that I did not have at CNN just because [they have] a different type of audience.”

As T. J. (or Telious, Jr.) prepared to leave his CNN post in a few weeks for his new “multi-platform deal” with BET, his good friend former CNN biz beauty Stephanie Elam fondly reminisced about their shared past. Responding to a Twitter follower who bemoaned the departure of herself, T. J., and their whilom AM friend Kiran Chetry (and CNN colleagues Betty Nguyen and Tony Harris), Stephanie Tweeted, “It does feel a bit like the end of an era!” Chiming in, Kiran aptly remarked, “We’ll always have the memories!”

Regardless of the reason for the “end of an era,” thanks for those AM memories, T. J., Stephanie, and Kiran!

T. J. Holmes: BET Bound

“Simply ecstatic.” CNN Newsroom weekend host Loutelious Ann “T. J.” Holmes indeed had “another gig lined up” before he bid his CNN colleagues adieu, apparently. According to Deadline Hollywood, CNN’s ebony Adonis has inked a “multi-platform” deal with BET Networks: I.e., T. J. will anchor a new television program for BET and “contribute” to its website.

In a BET.com report, Music Programming and Specials Prez Stephen G. Hill declared, “We are simply ecstatic to have T. J. Holmes coming to our fold. He’s been an outstanding news anchor and we look forward to working with him in a variety of ways on BET.” Perhaps, waxing a whit hyperbolic about his prized new catch, Hill elaborated, “It’s now upon us to develop vehicles that capture his intelligence, curiosity about the world, warmth, humor, and compassion. It’s a challenge that we are happy to have.”

T.J, you and your better half should be proud. Congratulations!

H/t J$P.

T.J. Holmes Leaves CNN

To join Kiran Chetry? CNN Newsroom weekend anchor T. J. Holmes revealed that he is departing CNN at the end of the year according to Richard Prince. TVNewser confirmed the news with CNN programming director Janelle Rodriguez and further reported that T. J. “already has another gig lined up.”

Hm. Is CNN’s ebony Adonis following in the footsteps of American Morning’s Aphrodite, i.e., T. J.’s friend and former AM co-host Kiran Chetry? Less than five months ago (end of July), Kiran left CNN for a  yet to-be-announced “very special opportunity” and just last month she assured her followers that she would be back on TV “very soon.” Perhaps, even though CNN honcho Ken Jautz’s test AM iteration of T. J. and Kiran did not quite work out this year, the two may plan to reunite in early 2012 in another television venture elsewhere.

Regardless, CNN viewers will miss the genuinely charming Southern gentleman with a quick wit, a ready smile, and a personable touch. For T. J.’s American Morning fans (who are likewise bereft of the captivating Kiran), at least, his ivory twin Rob Marciano remains for now as the moribund AM comes to an end next year.

T. J., thanks for the CNN memories. Hopefully, your fans will see you again soon on the air. If with Kiran, all the better!

Rob & Eryn’s Girl: Madeline Grace Marciano

More “Baby girl” details. American Morning meteorologist and proud papa Rob Marciano personally and proudly announced the birth of his new baby Thursday: He Tweeted, “The Bambina has landed.” The very next day, he shared a photo of his dear daughter with his Twitter followers, jesting, “Baby girl prepping to rock her 36 hours of freedom party.”

For Rob’s fans and their AM audience, his joyful colleagues, co-hosts Christine Romans and Carol Costello, proclaimed anew the good news Friday when they segued to the weather report by Rob’s fill-in Reynolds Wolf.* As AM producers displayed a photo of Rob, his beautiful wife Eryn, and their darling girl, Reynolds remarked that the newborn’s name was Madeline Grace Marciano and that she weighed “seven pounds thir[teen], 7.13″ [sic].” As a quite questionable aside, he added, “I know Rob…is [as] tired as Erin.”

Chuckling, Christine’s interjected, “I know. You know…he said, ‘Erin is recovering: Dad is a wreck.'” Chiming in, Carol aptly observed, “Eryn looked great in that picture: she looks beautiful.” Marveling, Christine remarked, “I know. I think that’s after twenty hours of labor, actually.” Concurring, Reynolds interposed, “Looks amazing: Looks just amazing.”

Indeed.

*American Morning – 11/18/11 (@ 6:35 a.m. ET)

[Author’s aside: For a great pic of Eryn lovingly cradling her infant, link here.]

T. J.’s Real Bride

Marilee Fiebig Holmes. CNN anchor T. J. Holmes toyed with his fervid female admirers Friday who did not realize that he was off the market. He Tweeted, “Just in: I’m married! Surprised this week @ how many folks say they didn’t know I wed last yr. Here’s pic of my bride: tinyurl.com/5tdsfyx.” Tweaking his lovelorn ladies, CNN’s ebony Adonis linked to his favorite Bond babe, Halle Berry.

Apparently, after getting grief from his followers about his jest, T. J. replied, “Some of u pointed out I tweeted pic of a lady who is not my wife. I apologize 4 this TOTALLY innocent mistake. ;-) Let me find the right pic.” Not too surprisingly, T. J. has not yet  “found” the photo of his gorgeous Georgia peach, Marilee Fiebag Holmes. However, Carpe Diem has.

For the “right pic” of T. J.’s lawyer lovely, link here.

Zain Verjee: “The Delilah of Kenya”

Zain’s “Love Lines.” CNN correspondent Zain Verjee revealed her sexy radio roots to CNN Newsroom anchor Kyra Phillips Monday. After a CN story on the launch of MTV thirty years ago with the Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star,” Zain was ready to give her report on Amy Winehouse. Before she did, Kyra queried, “Zain, I want to bring you into this discussion….You say that’s actually the first song you played as a radio D.J.?”

Zain answered, “Yes, it was in Kenya and I was doing the love show, which was called “Love Lines” at the time.” Mellifluously, she added, “Kind of like the Delilah of Kenya almost.”

Then, more to Kyra’s point, Zain remarked, “When we launched this private radio station [in Nairobi], it was a big deal because in Kenya at that time everything had been [under] state control. So, it created all this buzz and that was the first song that was played on the breakfast show on Capital FM radio, “Video Killed the Radio Star.” It also launched my career.”

“The Delilah of Kenya“: No Philistine.

[Author’s aside: Elaborating on her radio show in a 2010 interview in Kenya’s Standard, Zain said, “It was called Love Lines and it was just sort of playing romantic music, reading people’s love letters, and dispensing of advice that I was ill positioned to give.”]

Kyra Crashes Kiran’s Namaskaar

Kyra: “Alright, I’m gonna break it up here!” And, so she did. Yesterday American Morning co-anchor Kiran Chetry bid her audience a teary goodbye at the end of the show. Before segueing to CNN Newsroom anchor Kyra Phillips, Kiran announced, “I’m not gonna cry. But, I just want to tell you guys–as some of you know, today is gonna be my last day here at CNN. It’s gonna be my last day at America Morning.”

With her co-hosts Christine Romans and Ali Velshi seated beside her on the new divan, Kiran declared, “Before I leave, I just wanted to thank everyone, all of you out there for letting me into your living rooms each morning for the past nearly five years. I’ve enjoyed it.” Pointing to Aly and Christine, she continued, “I feel very lucky to have been able to work with wonderful, kind, dedicated people here at CNN.”

As she spoke, the camera briefly showed attentive AM staffers standing nearby: Reaching out to them literally, Kiran remarked, “Look at my buddies. Oh, can we take that shot again, please?” As the cameraman consequently panned back to include not only the staffers but also the floor crew, Kiran commented, “These people come in before midnight day after day after day. We work hard to get it right: But, through it all we have always found a way to laugh and enjoy our work.”

Then, addressing her AM audience again, Kiran tearfully concluded, “So, I’m terrible at goodbyes. I’m not going to say, ‘goodbye.’ I’m gonna say, ‘See you soon.'” Turning toward Christine and Ali, she said, “And, to both of you, it’s been a pleasure.” Then after kissing Christine and Ali au revoir, Kiran waved to the audience, saying, “Thanks, guys!”

Then, just as Kiran softly began to conclude her final namaskaar to her AM fans and then to toss to CNN Newsroom anchor Kyra Phillips, Kyra gauchely interrupted. Brassily, she declared, “Alright, I, I’m gonna break it up.” Gracefully, Kiran softly and simultaneously continued, “And, I promise to keep in touch. CNN Newsroom with Kyra Phillips starts now.”

True to her ill-timed promise, Kyra declared, “We’re gonna go back to that shot, Kiran, of Petey [AM floor director].”  As Kiran laughed uncomfortably at Kyra’s strange interruption, Kyra unabashedly continued, “Let’s go to Petey. Let’s get another shot of Petey there. ” Graciously, Kiran concurred, “Let’s go one more time.” Oddly fixated on this “Petey,” Kyra continued, “Yeah, because Petey will make us laugh. Petey is the one.”

As the cynosure of the camera changed from Kiran to Petey, Kyra continued, “There he is. Give us a shout-out. There we go.” Apparently, trying rightfully to regain the spotlight, Kiran commented, “Guess what, Kyra. Kyra, Petey said to me [that] he is going to learn to email just so that he can keep in touch with me. You know what an honor that is.”

Apparently, realizing her patent faux pas, Kyra penitently responded, “Oh, yes. Kiran, you know…that’s why I went there because Petey has added so much joy to…the morning for you guys. And, he’s made you laugh and been a big part of making those mornings special for you. So, there we go: we won’t to leave on a [sic] upbeat note. Then she added, “Best of luck to you, Kiran.”

Smiling sweetly, Kiran tersely responded, “Thank you.”

[Author’s aside: To paraphrase Simon and Garfunkel, “What’s that you say, Mrs. Robinson, (er, ‘Mrs.’ Roberts)?” Comely Kiran has left and gone away. Hey, hey, hey, she barely got her say.]

Update: CNN vid entitled “It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later: Kiran’s last day at AM.” N.B. CNN producers wisely cut Kyra’s “crash” of Kiran’s farewell.

Update2: YouTube uncut video of Kiran’s goodbye.

Kyra Back at CNN: “Hubby,” Twins Back FNC

Yesterday CNN Newsroom anchor Kyra Phillip returned from maternity leave to CNN. Welcoming her back were American Morning co-hosts Christine Roberts, Ali Velshi, and Kiran Chetry (the former AM television wife of Kyra’s “hubby,” John Roberts).  As Kiran genially segued to Kyra, Aly jested, “We haven’t seen her for so long [that] we could use a photo.”*

No photo of the radiant mother of twins needed for CN viewers: she was her usual saucy, sassy self. However, her fans might need one of her baby twins, Kellen and Sage, albeit not the one published in TVNewser. Swaddled in white blankets emblazoned with “Fox News Channel” lay her treasured twins, cuter than buttons: Her husband-to-be-eventually had allegedly done the “dastardly deed.”

Welcome back, Krya!

*American Morning – 06/08/11 (@ 8:59 a.m. ET)

Kiran: But, We’re Happily Married

“Did we look like idiots?” Limitless star Bradley Cooper turned American Morning co-hosts Kiran Chetry and Christine Romans into “two school girls” this morning (as Kiran aptly noted). Not only did he have them giggling, blushing, and almost ruing their wedding bands for almost thirty minutes, he rendered them speechless–literally.

The fun began during the final half hour of AM today when Christine started to promo Cooper’s upcoming segment before a commercial: Stopping suddenly, she turned to Ali, saying, “Why don’t you take this lead?”* Amused, Ali read, “Sure, he’s got a sexy smile…but Bradley Cooper sure can act: His new slick thriller Limitless is number one at the box office, catapulting him into Hollywood’s big leagues. Bradley is here.” As Kiran and Christine giggled and Cooper grinned and waved back at them, Ali ribbed, “My two married co-anchors are having some difficulty spitting this all out.”

Turning to Ali, Kiran playfully protested, “Married?” Chiming in, a similarly piqued Christine queried, “Why did you have to bring that up? Ah!” Slipping out of her anchor seat in her bare feet, Kiran bent over and began to slip on her high heels, muttering, “Thanks a lot, Ali.”

When AM returned from ad break, the frivolity returned as Kiran and Christine joyfully interviewed a dapper Cooper who looked like he had just climbed out of bed with his scruffy beard, mussed hair, and loosened tie.** Initially, Christine and Kiran appeared on terra firma as they asked Cooper about his hit Limitless and his older cine Hangover. However, as the interview went on, they appeared to get lost in Cooper’s clear blue eyes as this handsome hunk answered their queries with an attentive eye, quick wit, and seductive smile.

Rarely taking their eyes off their dreamboat, Christine and Kiran seemed to lose track of time. As the interview progressed, the questions turned personal. When Christine asked him how it felt to be a “megastar” and Cooper self-deprecatingly scoffed at the idea, Kiran intently intoned, “People have an intensive interest in your life….People want to know about your personal life. Are you back on the market now?”

As Cooper looked back at Kiran and chuckled, she quickly added, “We’re married. We don’t want to know but we’re asking for our friends.” Even less convincingly, Christine chimed, “Oh, yes. This is important for the people to know.”

Evading Kiran’s question about his love life deftly, Cooper suddenly answered Christine’s query about being a “megastar,” explaining that his “life has not changed, honestly.” Joking, Kiran riposted, “So, you don’t have somebody to carry an umbrella around if it’s sunny.” Cooper chuckled, “Of course, I do. That’s normal, right?” Joining in the mirth, Christine jested, “And then somebody else to count the money, too.”

Then, abruptly, the colloquy ended as Christine looked over at Kiran. “What!” exclaimed Kiran. As the two sat befuddled, Cooper interposed, “So what are we going to talk about?” Shrugging, Kiran replied, “Nothing else. Um.” Looking back at Ali in disbelief, a smiling Cooper exclaimed, “Wow! Total dead space. That was amazing! That was amazing!”

Chagrined, Kiran pointed to Ali, saying, “Ali’s making fun of us. This never happens: we interview ambassadors, interview ex-Presidents. We never run out of things to say but now we’re like two school girls in a bar. This is terrible!” Still somewhat shocked, Cooper exclaimed, “That was incredible!”

As Kiran and Christine mocked themselves, feigning a feverish search through their papers for one last question, an amused Aly patiently waited in the background for the toss. Fanning her flushed face with her hand, Kiran exclaimed, “Get us out of here!” Ali teased, “He’s pretty dreamy, huh?”

Then, reading out the segment, Aly declared, “It’s hot in here but it cold’s outside….Rob Marciano’s got your weekend travel forecast next.”

When AM returned from break, it was still “hot” in the AM studio as Kiran, Christine, and Aly sat behind the AM desk.*** When Kiran started to toss to Rob for his report, Christine whimsically interjected, “I don’t mean to name drop but my mike is falling off because we just were hugging Bradley Cooper, Rob, and we’re going to have to get the weather so we can get everything all settled here.” Before Rob could reply, Kiran queried, “What do you think? Did we act like idiots?”

Responding indirectly, Rob gibed, “Ali, are they trying to make us jealous? It’s not working you know. We professionally respect what he does as an actor.” Agreeing, Ali asserted, “I was fine sitting here being ignored for several minutes that continued to go on and on and on.” Seemingly, still somewhat slighted, Rob humorously bristled, “It was a nice break, you know, watching them abuse somebody else for a change. God love them. Poor Bradley!”

Howling in laughter, a flattered Kiran answered, “Rob, I know. You’re still our favorite. Don’t worry.” Concurring, Christine declared, “We objectify you everyday, three times an hour. You know.” Affirmed, Rob riposted, “An entertaining segment, nonetheless.” He got no argument from Kiran: she simply raised her eyebrows and suggestively smiled.

Subsequently, when Rob had given his report and had segued back to Kiran, Christine, and Aly, Aly jested, “I’ll take it to break. My co-hosts are still recovering.”

Later, as AM‘s final segment concluded, Kiran, at least, had still not yet fully recovered. Segueing to CNN Newsroom guest host Carol Costello, she coyly commented, “Carol, from a fellow happily married woman, me and Christine.”**** Looking down, a weary Aly pleaded, “Oh, don’t start!” Undeterred, Kiran continued, “We can blush and giggle over Bradley Cooper, right? Because he’s just a, he’s just a beautiful man to look at.” But, we’re happily married.”

Sighing like a school girl herself in the retinue of Justine Bieber, Carol responded, “He’s hot! I’m happily married, too. But, he’s hot!”***** Smiling and raising her eyebrows, Kiran nodded her ardent agreement.

“Did we look like idiots?” No, Kiran. Happily, more like Fox & Friends. Hopefully,  AM executive producer Jim McGinnis finally did remember CNN chief Ken Jautz’s sage advice.

[Author’s aside: Jim, if you are indeed beginning to make AM “more compelling and engaging…more fun…[and]…livelier,” you may also want to ditch the distancing desk for a cozy couch (and close those doors again behind that odious AM desk).]

*American Morning – 03/25/11 (@ 6:34 a.m.)

**Ibid at 8:37 a.m. ET.

***Ibid at 8:47 a.m. ET

****Ibid at 9:00 a.m. ET

*****Kiran, Christine, and Carol are married to meteorologist Chris Knowles, Rueters reporter Ed Tobin, and Loyola College Maryland’s Veep for Academic Affairs Timothy Law Snyder, respectively.

Kyra, John: “Welcome…to the World”

“Long road to get here.” CNN Newsroom anchor Kyra Phillips and “fiance” FNC senior national correspondent John Roberts make “absolutely beautiful little people” together. According to a People exclusive, the two celebrated the birth of twins, Sage Ann and Kellan Clay, just after midnight this morning. Both brother and sister weighed five pounds fifteen ounces and measured eighteen and half inches long.

People reported that the delighted duo issued a statement, saying, “It was amazing to welcome them to the world. It was a long road to get here, but they are absolutely beautiful little people.” (As to the “long road to get here,” the couple may have been alluding to Kyra’s possible in vitro pregnancy attempts and final success.) They added, “It’s incredible to be able to hold them in our arms and love them in person.”

Congratulations, Kyra and John!

H/t, TVNewser.

Roberts-Phillips’ Engagement: Off?

Roberts: “No plan for a wedding.” Is the thrill gone for FNC’s brand new senior national correspondent John Roberts and his “fiancee” CNN Newsroom anchor Kyra Phillps? It certainly seems so. Today, the Huffington Post reported that “Roberts says he doesn’t call Phillips his fiancee and that they have no real plans to get married anytime soon.” Interestingly, around the same time that article posted (10:22 a.m.) during her program CNN Newsroom, Phillips Tweeted, “A columnist has 6 possible reasons why single ladies aren’t married… it’s harsh & we’re talkin’ bout it in 10 mins.”

Only ten months ago to the day, TVNewser announced the engagement of Roberts and Phillips. It reported how a romantic Roberts had proposed on bended knee during a round of golf on the final hole at Greenbriar Resort (West Virginia). Accompanying the article was a photo of the happy couple posing on that 18th green with champagne glasses in hand as Phillips joyfully sported her new engagement ring.

Today, the Huffington Post seemed to suggest a shift in Robert’s and Phillips’ status. In a phone call yesterday with HuffPo, Roberts discussed his relationship with Phillips (among other topics, e.g., Fox News, CNN, and Roger Ailes). As to Phillips and himself, Roberts revealed, “No plan for a wedding.” Elaborating, he declared, “I call her my wife, she refers to me as her husband….[A]t our age, fiancee just doesn’t sound right.” Perhaps, portentously, he added, “And, when you call somebody your sweetheart, eventually that gets old as well.” Nevertheless, Roberts said that he does expect that they’ll get married “at some point.”

While Roberts and Phillips’ “engagement” may seem tenuous at best, they do have a certain and concrete connection. I.e., while Phillips may not be Roberts’ wife anytime soon, she is the expectant mother of their twins. They are due March 21.

AM Live Mike: Rob’s Ironic Rant

T. J. Holmes: “Can we get Rob’s mike off?” Today American Morning meteorologist Rob Marciano had his own “Kyra Phillips moment” today–to a degree. As Rob concluded his final AM weathercast this morning, he appeared in good humor (jesting about a frozen-banana-turned-hammer video) as he segued to AM co-hosts Kiran Chetry and T. J. Holmes. However, when the shot switched to the co-anchors and T.J. began a promo for the next block, a testy off-camera Rob could be heard ironically ranting, “Kelly, what! Do you not work in live television?”*

In response, T. J. stopped reading and incredulously exclaimed, “What? What? Wait! What?” As Kiran bent over in laughter, Rob continued, “You were like raising your [Rob’s feed ends].” Coming to his friend’s aid a tad too late, T.J. pleaded, “Oh, wow! Could we get Rob’s mike off?” Then, on behalf of himself and, perhaps, his AM audience, he rhetorically queried,  “What is he talking about?”

Fortunately, for Rob’s AM fans, they got a hint. And, fortunately, for Rob, he (or his producer) cut his mike before he could rip into his coworker even more on national television (a la now former AM co-host John Roberts). Furthermore, Rob can take no small comfort in the fact that, at least, he was not caught in the CNN bathroom spilling family secrets (a la CNN Newsroom anchor Kyra Phillips).

American Morning – 01/09/11 (@ 8:52 a.m. ET)